Podcasts about Allegiance

Scripture: Ephesians 6:24+ What you love most is the most important thing about you.“According to Augustine, ‘There is a scale of value stretching from earthly to heavenly realities, from the visible to the invisible; and the inequality between these goods makes possible the existence of them all.' God is one thing, angels are another, as are people, terriers, red oaks, squash, rocks, and dirt. Each item fits in God's overall scheme of creation. The nature of things in the hierarchy is unchangeable, and so is the kind of satisfaction it can provide when we are related to it through love. Because of these actual differences in things, the outcome of loving each actual thing will be different. There is a divinely designed fit between our needs, the character of the things that can satisfy them, and the way we should love them in order to be satisfied. Even though each thing God made is good, delightful, legitimate, and a source of satisfaction as an object of our love, we "must not expect more from it than its unique nature can provide." We must give love and praise to things apportioned to their worth. - David K Naugle, Re-Ordered Loves; Re-ordered Lives."Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship...is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things—if they are where you tap real meaning in life—then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you...Worship power—you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart—you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out." - David Foster Wallace + What does it mean to love Jesus?-       Adoration - thinking highly of Jesus.-       Affection - feeling deeply for Jesus.-       Allegiance - following faithfully after Jesus.Matthew 10:37–38“All of Christ is to be loved, and He is to be loved above all.” John Gill.Revelation 2:1-5Psalm 34:8 (NIV)+ ExaminePsalm 32:1–5 (NIV)+ Exercise+ Encounter

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Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 16 and Nehemiah For BibleInTen.com - By DH, 14th February 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten! Today, we have another bonus episode as our daily commentary from CG at the Superior Word rounds off Matthew Chapter 16. Matthew's Gospel contains 28 chapters, and remarkably, it mirrors the first 28 books of the Old Testament as arranged in the Christian Bible. So in this episode, having considered Matthew 16, we'll now look at its fascinating counterpart: Book 16 of the Old Testament-Nehemiah. Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה / Nechemyah) means “Yah comforts.” That is appropriate because the whole book is comfort through restoration after judgment. Nehemiah functions as a historical “control text,” showing an established covenant pattern that Matthew 16 then re-presents prophetically (while still being literal history in Jesus' life, confirmed by the other Gospel writers).  Isn't the Word of God Amazing?! Let us now take a look at 12 connections which which support the summary of the chapter as detailed in the previous episode.     Unlike pairings between Matthew 14 with 2 Chronicles—where the correspondence spans a wider sweep of history across multiple dispensational stages—the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing is compressed into a narrower prophetic frame (the tribulation-period restoration conflict) and does not proceed step by step.  The lack of a perfectly locked step-by-step sequence is itself instructive.   In Matthew 14 the picture maps a long, ordered panorama where chronology matters as it spans events across Israel's history from the dispensation of law to and prophetic future carries a clearer, more sequential structure. .. But in the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing—focused on the tribulation—Scripture is not chiefly giving a detailed internal timetable; it is giving the shape of the period.   So lets turn to that shape now with these 12 steps. A Demand for a Sign and the First Opposition Matthew 16 opens with the Pharisees and Sadducees coming together to test Jesus, demanding a “sign from heaven.” It is leadership pressure-religious power trying to control the terms. Nehemiah opens with the same kind of pressure appearing as soon as restoration is announced. When Nehemiah arrives with authorization to rebuild, opposition rises immediately: Sanballat and Tobiah are “grieved” that someone came to seek Israel's good (Nehemiah 2:10). They then laugh and scorn: “What is this thing that ye do?” (2:19) The pattern is consistent: when God moves to restore, the entrenched powers demand proof, challenge legitimacy, and attempt to intimidate the work before it begins. “You Can Read the Sky… But Not the Times” Jesus says they can interpret the sky, but they cannot discern “the signs of the times.” The irony is that the very men claiming insight are the ones blind to what God is doing. Nehemiah carries that same irony in restoration form. The enemies act as if they understand the situation and control the outcome—mocking, threatening, and plotting as though the work will collapse on their schedule. But they do not know what's really happening. Their blindness shows in this: they only learn after the fact that their plan has been uncovered. In Nehemiah —“when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought…” (Nehemiah 4:15). They thought they were the ones reading the moment, but they were misreading it completely. The builders knew; the enemies did not. And once the plot was exposed, the intimidation lost its power and the work continued. The Sign of Judgment Remembered With the coming of the end times, the leaders of Israel would be expected to understand the situation they are in—but in Matthew 16 they are shown as unable to read it. Jesus calls them “wicked and adulterous” and says no sign will be given except “the sign of the prophet Jonah.” In the previous episode we learned that, Jonah's “Yet forty days” becomes a prophetic template—forty as judgment time—fulfilled in the temple's destruction about forty years after Christ, and then the long exile that followed. The end-times petition is therefore not, “wait for a new sign,” but: look back, read your history through Scripture, and believe. Nehemiah begins with that same mechanism already in place. The “sign” is not in the sky; it is in the city. Jerusalem stands as a covenant witness—broken, burned, and shamed: “the wall of Jerusalem… broken down, and the gates… burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). And crucially, Nehemiah interprets that ruin as meaning—he does not treat it as mere geopolitics. He confesses, “We have dealt very corruptly… and have not kept the commandments” (1:7), and he appeals to what God had already spoken in the Scriptures about scattering for unfaithfulness and gathering upon repentance (1:8-9). Matthew 16 points Israel to a coming historical sign—temple judgment—meant to force a right reading of Scripture and history. Nehemiah opens with an earlier historical sign—Jerusalem in ruins—meant to do the same. In both cases, the issue is not that God failed to leave evidence. The issue is whether the people will stop being “clueless,” read the sign correctly, internalize what it says about their covenant state, and then return to the Lord in true faith. Crossing Over: From Exile-Space to Covenant-Space The movement across the sea of Galilee (and thus the Jordan-line running through it) pictured a spiritual boundary-those “on the other side” needing to come through Christ. Nehemiah is structured around a grand “crossing” of its own: movement from Persia and the regions “beyond the river” into the land where God's name was set. The restoration work begins when Nehemiah leaves the place of worldly security and goes to the place of covenant accountability. Beware the Leaven: Corrupt Influence Inside the People In Matthew 16, Jesus warns of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees—doctrine and influence that works invisibly, spreading through the whole lump until everything is affected. The disciples first think He is speaking about bread, but Jesus corrects them: the danger is not what you eat, but what you absorb. Nehemiah gives a historical picture of that same leaven-principle. The enemy does not remain at the gate. He aims for infiltration—to become familiar, acceptable, even respected within the restored community. During the rebuilding, Nehemiah notes that the nobles were already entangled: “For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.” (Nehemiah 6:18). The leaven isn't merely threat from outside; it is sympathy and alliance forming inside—compromise that feels normal because it comes through “our own people.” And when that leaven is left unchecked, it advances from relationships to residence. In Nehemiah 13, Tobiah is not simply corresponding with leaders—he is granted an actual chamber in the temple precincts (Nehemiah 13:4-9). The unclean influence in its mature form, so that what begins as tolerated association ends as sanctioned presence. This is exactly the warning Matthew 16 carries forward. Don't misread the matter as “bread,” as though the issue were external details. The real danger is the teaching, the partnerships, the slow drift—leavened thinking that spreads through the body while everyone tells themselves nothing serious is happening, until the holy space itself is compromised. Power, Pride, and the Military Temptation Caesarea Philippi was highlighted as a picture-space: Caesar as deified man; Philippi as leaning on the “horse” principle-military pride. Nehemiah's rebuilding occurs under constant threat. The people must be armed while they build.  They work with one hand and hold a weapon with the other (Nehemiah 4:17-18). But Nehemiah carefully frames this: the sword is not their salvation. Their security is God, and vigilance is obedience. Necessary defense exists, but pride in defense is a snare. The people are restored, yet always at risk of trusting the wall more than the Lord. “Who Do You Say That I Am?” and the Community's Confession In Matthew 16, we have the God assisted confession: “You are the Christ.” Nehemiah contains an extended sequence where Israel is restored not merely by masonry but by identity-confession through God's Word: “So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:8). This leads into confession of sin and confession of God's faithfulness (Nehemiah 9). In the Matthew framework: end-times Jews become true “hearers”- not merely readers of signs, but confessors of what the signs meant. 8. Kingdom-Order, and Covenant Enrollment In Matthew 16, everything turns on identity and confession. Israel can offer many assessments of Jesus—prophet, teacher, threat—but the end-times remnant is identified as those who follow Peter's confession: “You are the Christ.” After this, Jesus blesses Peter with a name that ties back to the only sign granted—Bar-Jonah, “son of Jonah.” In other words, Peter typifies the Jews who have heard the sign of Jonah, interpreted their own history rightly, and therefore confess the Messiah they once missed. That confession marks them out as the out-called, and it is on that proclamation that Christ speaks of kingdom entry—the granting of the keys. Nehemiah provides an Old Covenant “control text” for that same movement: a remnant comes to understanding, confession, and then formalized belonging. After the Scriptures are read and the national confession is made (Nehemiah 8-9), the people do not remain in mere emotion or general agreement. They move into enrollment—a defined act of covenant identity: “And because of all this, we make a sure covenant and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it” (Nehemiah 9:38; detailed in chapter 10). Names are written. Allegiance is publicly owned. Commitments and boundaries are stated. And the Hebrew meaning of these written names themselves bear connection to tribulation period events described in Revelation. In typology terms, Nehemiah shows a keys-of-the-kingdom counterpart in historical form, a concrete act of authorized inclusion into a defined covenant community. As Bar-Jonah represents those who finally hear and identify the true Messiah, the sealed covenant in Nehemiah represents those who finally own and enter the restored order. 9. A Messiah Who Must Suffer: The Offense of God's Way In Matthew 16, Peter stumbles over the suffering plan. The moment Jesus speaks openly about rejection, suffering, and death, Peter tries to correct Him—and Jesus rebukes him sharply. The warning is against demanding a triumphant, expectation-shaped messiah while rejecting the true Messiah as God presents Him—first crucified, then glorified. Nehemiah provides the historical control picture of that same offense. Restoration there advances through obedience under scorn. The workers are mocked (Nehemiah 4:1-3), threatened (4:7-8), and worn down by discouragement (4:10). Yet the work moves forward because they refuse the “easy” path of retreat, silence, or compromise. That is the typological connection: Peter's impulse—“this shall not happen to You”—is the human instinct to reject a deliverance that comes through suffering. Nehemiah's remnant models the opposite posture: they accept that God often brings vindication after humiliation.   10. Deny Yourself: The Cost of Faithfulness Under Pressure In Matthew 16, Jesus' call to deny yourself is not abstract spirituality—it is a demand for costly allegiance. In the end-times picture drawn, it means refusing the survival-instinct that compromises truth, and choosing fidelity to Christ even when it carries temporary loss. Nehemiah provides a clear historical control of that same principle. He refuses the governor's allowance—he will not enrich himself at the people's expense: “I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor” (Nehemiah 5:14-19).  In both cases the work of God is advanced by those willing to serve faithfully even when they could have claimed their rights. Vindication: God's Work Revealed Before Enemies Matthew 16 ends with the thought of the Son of Man coming in glory with His messengers-a public unveiling of reality. Nehemiah contains a miniature version of that unveiling: The wall is finished, and the enemies “perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16). The point is the pattern: endurance, completion, public recognition that God did it, not man. What is done in faith is later shown to have been of God. A Remnant Standing at the End Some will make it through the tribulation without tasting death when they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. In Nehemiah, the “standing remnant” idea is stated in the narrative milestones that mark survival through the entire pressure campaign to the realized outcome. They survive to completion: “So the wall was finished…” (Nehemiah 6:15). They survive the intimidation campaign and remain in place: after the plot is exposed and collapses, the work continues and the enemies are put to shame (Nehemiah 6:16). They transition from building under threat to ordered life in the city: once the wall is finished, “the doors were set up,” gatekeepers and Levites are appointed, and watch is established (Nehemiah 7:1-3). They are still there as a gathered people at the end of the building phase: “all Israel dwelt in their cities… and all the people gathered themselves together as one man” (Nehemiah 7:73-8:1). They move from completion to public dedication: “at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem…” (Nehemiah 12:27), culminating in corporate worship and rejoicing (Nehemiah 12:43). Nehemiah doesn't just end with “a wall.” It ends with a preserved community—still present, still assembled, moving from survival under pressure (6:15-16) into established order (7:1-3), unified gathering (7:73-8:1), and dedication/worship (12:27, 43). So the narrative picture of a remnant standing is explicit: some make it through, and they stand in what God established. CONCLUSION: Why This is Controlled Typology In Nehemiah, the question is: Will the returned people truly become God's people again-by truth, separation, and covenant fidelity-rather than by mere structure? In Matthew 16, the question becomes sharper and final: Will Israel discern what their own history meant, reject leavened leadership, confess the true Messiah, accept the suffering plan, and endure to the kingdom? Nehemiah gives the Old Covenant restoration pattern in history. Matthew 16 gives the New Covenant restoration petition in prophecy-picture-centered entirely on Jesus: who He is, what He must do, and what His people must endure in the tribulation period. Nehemiah rebuilds a wall around a city.  Matthew 16 reveals the confession upon which Christ builds His out-calling. Lord God, we thank You for Your word-holy, faithful, and true. Give us discernment for the times we live in. Guard us from leaven-quiet compromise, false teaching, and fear-driven counsel that sounds spiritual but serves another master.  Strengthen us to bear reproach, to deny ourselves, and to endure faithfully until Your purposes are complete.  And may all our confidence rest not in walls, not in strength, not in man-but in the name of the Lord our God. Amen.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot curate a selection of songs by artists responding to the current political moment. The hosts also hear selections from the production staff.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Bruce Springsteen, "Streets of Minneapolis," Streets of Minneapolis (Single), Columbia, 2026The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Billy Bragg, "City of Heroes," City of Heroes (Single), Self-Released, 2026Dropkick Murphys, "Who'll Stand With Us," For The People, Dummy Luck, 2025Low Cut Connie, "Livin in the USA," Livin in the USA, Contender, 2026The Neighborhood Kids, "Breaking News," Breaking News (Single), Self-Released, 2026Amy Grant, "The Sixth of January (Yasgur's Farm)," The Sixth of January (Yasgur's Farm) (Single), Thirty Tigers, 2026Carsie Blanton, "Little Flame," Red Album II, Self-Released, 2025Jesse Welles, "No Kings (feat. Joan Baez)," No Kings (feat. Joan Baez) (Single), self-released, 2025Dessa, "Camelot," Camelot (Single), Doomtree, 2025She'll Hunt, "Banning Books," Banning Books (Single), self-released, 2025Smoking Popes, "Allegiance (feat. Scott Lucas)," Allegiance (feat. Scott Lucas) (Single), self-released, 2025Seb Lowe, "Here Come The Aliens!," Here Come The Aliens! (Single), self-released, 2025Bad Bunny, "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Rimas, 2025Propagandhi, "No Longer Young," At Peace, Epitaph, 2025Kimmortal, "Stop Business As Usual PART 2," Stop Business As Usual PART 2 (Single), self-released, 2024Fishbone, "Last Call in America," Stockholm Syndrome, self-released, 2025The Cars, "Bye Bye Love," The Cars, Elektra, 1978Eddie Vedder, "Hard Sun," Into the Wild, J, 2007Turnstile, "Look Out for Me," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025Geese, "Au Pays du Cocaine," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025R.E.M., "Little America," Reckoning, I.R.S., 1984See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David and Todd reflect on the death of John the Baptist and what his faithfulness reveals about the cost of Kingdom courage in a hostile world. Allegiance to God's kingdom often brings opposition, yet John's life and death point beyond earthly power to the unshakable purposes of God.

Latest News/Headlines | Traffic | Weather | Sports Topic I: The Second Condition of Allegiance (Bai'at): A Framework for Moral Living Topic II: Fasting in Different Religions: A Shared Spiritual Discipline Presenter(s):
Imam Jalees Khan Bilal mahmood Guest(s): * Imam Bilal Ahmed Qamar * Professor Michael Reiss * DR Leila Dehghan Zaklaki * Imam Sabahat Karim * Imam Mansoor Ahmed Mubashir * DR Mona khurrana 
Producer(s): Areeba Noor & Assistant Trainee Producer: Rubab Zafar Lead Producer: Tayyaba Tahir Researcher(s): Maimuna Hydara, Tooba Daud, Fateha Iqbal, Attiya tul Subuh, Basma Qamar & Hibba Tul Baseer

Sermon: Allegiance in Christ Alone Series: God's Perfect Servant Speaker: Ptr. Isaac Cheung Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 We are called to go beyond observing religious norms to placing our trust in the righteousness of Christ. This Sunday, Pastor Isaac Cheung teaches us that the greatest commandment is fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Let us pledge our allegiance to Him and His kingdom. Sermon Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cwpBGl4AyOriKdU2JNk-VX0HlkXLSYN7/view?usp=drive_link On our website: https://cbcp.org/blog/2026/02/08/allegiance-in-christ-alone/ Join a Life Group: https://cbcp.org/lifegroups Find an event: https://cbcp.org/events Learn how to give: https://cbcp.org/giving Website: https://cbcp.org Facebook: https://facebook.com/cbcponline YouTube: https://youtube.com/cbcponline Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cbcponline Instagram: https://instagram.com/cbcponline

Singer-songwriter Jon Guerra joins Mark Labberton to explore devotional songwriting, public faith, and the tension between the kingdom of Jesus and American cultural power. Through music and reflection, Guerra considers how art can hold grief, courage, and hope together in turbulent times. "Love has a million disguises, but winning is simply not one." In this episode with Mark Labberton, Guerra reflects on songwriting as prayer, the call to love enemies, and artistic courage in moments of cultural crisis. Together they discuss devotional music, George Herbert's influence, the Beatitudes and American culture, citizenship and immigration imagery, increasing polarization, suffering and grace, and the vocation of Christian artists. Episode Highlights "Love has a million disguises, but winning is simply not one." "When Jesus says to love your enemies… he is giving us a means of survival." "This is not sentimentality… the only way to resist becoming what one hates." "My songwriting… would be a means of coming into contact with the invisible God." "Beauty puts us in contact with invisible things." About Jon Guerra Jon Guerra is a singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas, known for devotional music that blends poetry, theology, and contemporary cultural reflection. His albums include Little Songs (2015), Keeper of Days (2020), Ordinary Ways (2023), and American Gospel. Guerra has also composed music for film, including Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life (2019). The son of immigrants from Cuba and Argentina, his work often explores themes of citizenship, prayer, justice, and the teachings of Jesus. His songwriting draws inspiration from figures like George Herbert and Howard Thurman, and seeks to connect spiritual devotion with public life. Helpful Links and Resources Jon Guerra website: https://www.jonguerramusic.com/ American Gospel album: https://jonguerra.bandcamp.com A Hidden Life film: https://www.searchlightpictures.com/ahiddenlife Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman: https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspx The Porter's Gate: https://www.portersgateworship.com/ Show Notes Devotional songwriting George Herbert influence on the pursuit of prayerful craft "Music for attending to the soul." Monday morning prayer music framing devotional practice Beauty and invisible realities in artistic experience American Gospel song introduction and cultural critique Beatitudes inversion in American culture "How do I give Christ a say in this conversation?" Love Your Enemies composition and album Jesus Howard Thurman's influence on enemy-love theology (Jesus and the Disinherited) Emotional formation through news, anger, and public life Death of ego and kingdom discipleship Kierkegaard and faith beyond ideology Worship as reordering power Kingdom of Jesus song and Pilate encounter Allegiance to a greater kingdom beyond nationalism Citizenship as foreignness imagery Immigrant family background shaping songwriting Citizens song written after 2017 inauguration "Come to you because I'm confused." Five-four musical structure expressing disorientation Groaning beauty and Romans 8 resonance Artists as "holy fools" naming reality Moltmann and theology near the cross Simone Weil: gravity and grace reflection "Love has a million disguises, but winning is simply not one." Hashtags #JonGuerra #DevotionalMusic #LoveYourEnemies #ChristianArt #AmericanGospel #PublicFaith #Jesus #Gospel #SpiritualFormation Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

Assurance of Salvation Many people assume they are saved, but lack a deep, confident assurance. They cannot articulate a specific experience or transformation that confirms their salvation. They rely on assumptions rather than a solid foundation of faith. The Pharisees believed they had eternal life because of their knowledge of scripture, but they did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. They failed to see Christ in the Old Testament, which is full of references and pictures of Him. They knew the scriptures but did not believe in Jesus. It’s not enough to just think you are saved; you must know you are saved. Relying on feelings is unreliable because feelings can fluctuate. Assurance comes from God’s Word and His Spirit working together. Avoid trying to figure out salvation through your own thinking. Salvation is not achieved by accident; it requires being born again. God offers grace to everyone, teaching us to deny ungodliness and live righteously. Some Christians struggle with assurance, but there comes a day when the Holy Spirit and the Word of God confirm their salvation. The goal is to move from thinking you are saved to knowing you are saved. Personal experience: There was a period of wrestling with salvation, but eventually came to a place of knowing through the Word and the Spirit. How to Know You Are Saved These points also reveal if you are not saved. The converse statements are present in the scriptures. Don’t let your mind dictate truth; rely on simple faith and belief from the heart. 1. Walking in the Light (1 John 1:7) If you are saved, you have come out of the darkness of the world and into the light of Christ. When a light is turned on in a dark room, you know it. There is an assurance that the darkness has been dispelled from your life. This is not about intellectual comprehension but about a transformational experience. It’s not about reasoning or understanding the English language. It’s about no longer living in darkness. Personal Testimony: Once lived in darkness, but no longer there. Something happened at salvation that changed everything. It’s not of this world; it’s of God. 2. Keeping His Commandments (1 John 2:3-4) You know that you know Him if you keep His commandments. If you claim to know Him but do not keep His commandments, you are a liar. We often lie to ourselves, convincing ourselves that our sin doesn’t matter. Jesus summarized the commandments as: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you are born again, you will have a desire to keep God’s commandments. If you are not saved, you have no desire to please God. Even though we fail, there is an internal desire to do what God says. When lost, there was no desire to please God, but after salvation, there is a desire to obey Him. Rules from parents were for good, teaching right and wrong. Being born again submits you to the desire to do right. Those who deceive themselves about salvation are still trying to figure it out within themselves. If you are not born again, you won’t stick with it. Flesh is contrary to serving God, but something greater within makes you want to obey God. 3. Keeping His Word (1 John 2:5) If you keep His word, the love of God is perfected in you. You will want to do what He said to do. You will want to keep all of His word, not just the “do’s and don’ts.” Psalm 119: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, to every word that cometh from him. Every word is beneficial. His Word is hidden in the heart so that you might not sin against God. Thinking about being saved is how you confuse yourself if you have not really been saved. People die every day thinking they are alright with God but have never been born again. 4. Loving Not the World (1 John 2:15-16) If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. James 4:4: If you are a friend of the world, you are an enemy to God. The things of the world include the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. When you are saved, you no longer love the world; you love God. Nothing in the world truly satisfies your soul. Allegiance shifts from following the devil to following God. Salvation is an event, not a process. It happens right here, right now. Your name is written down, and you become a child of God. You cannot love the world and love the Father. You cannot have two masters. If you still love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. The reason for preaching is because you are not yet condemned. God has made a way through the death, resurrection, and shed blood of His Son. A transformation occurs within your life that changes you. 2 Corinthians 5:17: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. If you are born again, your love comes, and the love of the world dissipates. 5. Having the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20) You have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. When you get saved, the Holy Spirit of God is given to you. The Holy Ghost of God lives inside of you. The first four points are to the heart, but the mind can still get involved. You can think yourself into a righteous position, but God said you never could do that. Your righteousness is filthy rags in His eyes. Being indwelt by the Holy Ghost separates things. You cannot fight that. The Spirit of God bears witness within you. If you have the Holy Spirit, you know it. It’s like having a $100 bill in your pocket; you know you have it. If you get saved, you will know. The Holy Spirit of Christ dwells in you. You are born of the Spirit. The power to beget you was the Spirit. The Holy Spirit purges, cleanses, and seals you. That’s why you cannot be untamed or lost tomorrow. The Holy Spirit did the work; you could not do it yourself. 6. Not Practicing Sin (1 John 3:9) Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin, for His seed remaineth in him. This does not mean you never sin, but that you do not practice sin. You do not live in sin. Those born of God do not live in sin. They may sin and find forgiveness through repentance. But they do not practice it. If you are still practicing your old sins, you are probably not born again. He takes away the desire to do the things of this world and gives you a new desire. What you once loved, you now hate; what you once hated, you now love. Romans 8:9: If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. You do not wake up thinking about partying. If that has not left you, you have never been changed. There is something on the inside that is greater than the world. You can overcome the lust of the world, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 7. Loving the Brethren (1 John 3:14, 4:7) You know that you have passed from death unto life because you love the brethren. If you hate your brother, you are in darkness even until now. The old song: “It makes me love everybody.” We know that we have passed from death unto life because we keep on loving. Even those who are unlovable. Love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. If the Holy Spirit of God is not dealing with you, you cannot be saved. It is not a thinking thing; it is an order thing. The Holy Spirit of God rests in your soul. The Holy Spirit captures you and explains that you are against God, a sinner, and going to hell. You believe Him. You know you are wrong. If the Holy Spirit of God has said to you that you are lost, in doubt, and want to stay eternally, you are going to be saved. The process starts with knowing that you are lost and asking Him to save you. In that same instant, you can know that you are saved. Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, but they testify of me. If you search the scriptures and do not see Christ, you are not saved. Stay with us if you are not right with God.

Captain Picard gets trapped in an alien test of leadership and we get trapped on Pluto TV reruns discussing the taste of Jell-O hockey pucks and whether aliens would understand male pattern baldness. This is the first episode of BrickBRKer's "Bricked Up For Beast Men" Collection as chosen by and voted on by our patrons! You can join in and tell us what to watch by becoming a patron today! SUPPORT US ON PATREON WITH YOUR LATINUM! - www.patreon.com/mclasspodcast Need info about the show? Find it at www.mclasspodcast.com Follow us on BlueSky: @MClassPodcast.bsky.social And/or follow our personal accounts: jeffpennington.bsky.social joshhenderson.bsky.social Opening Theme by VidaZen Editing by Josh Henderson Art by Jeff Pennington

Worship with us 9 + 11am 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010 https://flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit This sermon from Flourishing Grace Church centers on Luke 18:18–30 and the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, a passage that confronts one of the most common spiritual questions people carry beneath the surface of everyday life: Am I okay. Preaching from the Gospel of Luke, Josh Brown explores how this question often drives us toward self validation, performance, and control rather than toward true surrender and faith in Jesus Christ. The message challenges listeners to examine the subtle ways we seek reassurance through morality, success, comfort, wealth, or religious activity instead of trusting fully in God's grace. The rich young ruler approaches Jesus with what sounds like a sincere spiritual question about inheriting eternal life, yet Jesus exposes a deeper issue of the heart. Rather than asking how to be saved, the ruler is seeking confirmation that he is already good enough. Jesus responds not by offering affirmation but by calling for allegiance. This sermon explains how Jesus lovingly disrupts self confidence and exposes whatever sits on the throne of our lives, whether money, control, family, identity, or comfort. The call to sell possessions and follow Christ is not a universal command to poverty, but a targeted invitation to release false saviors and trust Jesus as Lord. Throughout the message, the sermon highlights the difference between wanting Jesus to reassure us and wanting Jesus to rule us. Drawing from Luke's narrative, it shows how wealth and self sufficiency can function as rival saviors that promise security but leave us spiritually bound. Jesus' words about the camel and the eye of the needle are not meant to offer a clever solution, but to shut the door on pride and self reliance. Salvation is impossible through human effort, moral achievement, or religious performance, yet it is fully possible through God's power and grace. The heart of the gospel is clearly presented as a gift, not a wage. Eternal life is not earned by those who perform well, but given freely to those who come empty handed, repentant, and dependent on Christ. This sermon emphasizes that Jesus not only calls for surrender but also pays for our rebellion through the cross and resurrection. The statement that what is impossible with man is possible with God is presented as a declaration of salvation, not motivational advice. The message also addresses the cost and reward of following Jesus. While allegiance to Christ may involve real losses in comfort, approval, or control, Jesus promises a greater gain both now and in the age to come. Following Jesus brings a new family, a new identity, a new purpose, and participation in the kingdom of God. This is not a call to misery, but an invitation into freedom, life, and lasting joy. This sermon invites listeners to reflect honestly on what they run to when Jesus feels insufficient and to allow God to expose and heal misplaced trust. It is a call away from striving and performance and toward repentance, faith, and rest in the grace of God. Whether you are new to church, exploring Christianity, or have been following Jesus for years, this message from Luke 18 challenges and encourages believers to lay down false kings and trust fully in Christ, the only one who can save, heal, and give eternal life.

Ian Weber, Student PastorGrand Parkway Baptist ChurchWhat Allegiance to God Looks LikeMatthew 6:19-241. What do we treasure v.19-21a. Bad investments v.19⁃ Moth = anything nature can destroy⁃ Rust = anything time can decay⁃ Thieves = anything that can be taken without warningb. Good investments v.20c. Your heart follows your treasure v.212. What do our eyes see? v.22-23a. Healthy eyes bring light to the bodyb. Bad eyes bring darkness to the bodyc. Don't confuse the two3. Who is our master? v.24a. Good masterb. Bad masterc. Everyone is a slave to somethingMental Worship...1)What earthly treasures are most tempting for you to spiritually invest in? Why?2)Where do you find yourself spiritually investing in heavenly treasures?3)How do you see your heart following your treasures?4)Are your eyes healthy or not? How would you know?5) Who / what are you a slave to?

The father of our house, Apostle Justin, release on Numbers 30-31! Understanding the importance of the words you speak, or don't speak, and how they bind you. Our guardrails are shifting and we need to learn how to walk in our spiritual authority and not allow anything corrupt our covenant with YHWH.

Truth Be Told with Booker Scott – Once a trusted neighbor, Canada now stands at a crossroads as shifting alliances raise alarms in the United States. From shared battlefields and values to authoritarian drift and globalist partnerships, this piece questions whether Canada remains a friend or has become a strategic adversary in a rapidly changing world...

Tonight we're talking through a series of clips that, at first glance, seem unrelated—but they all point to the same quiet truth. Allegiance is being tested, mental health patients are disappearing, the double-income household didn't happen by accident, and surveillance is no longer theoretical. The scenery hasn't changed much lately… and people are starting to feel it in their bones.

Streets stained with blood in Iran, an internet blackout, and a regime silencing dissent—these scenes force a harder question: what kind of ideas build liberty, and which ones destroy it? We connect current events to first principles, tracing how beliefs shape cultures, policies, and the everyday freedoms most of us take for granted.We share reports of mass casualties and censorship, then examine the claim that liberty cannot survive without a moral core rooted in something higher than the state. Along the way, we highlight a Brooklyn sermon that calls for fighting U.S. institutions and ask how societies should respond when rhetoric openly rejects the civic order. From there, we step into Scripture: 1 Peter 3 reframes marriage around inner character and mutual honor, while the parable of the vineyard workers humbles pride and reminds us that grace, not seniority, opens the gate to eternal life. A brief Medal of Honor spotlight on Felix Branigan anchors virtue in real sacrifice amid the chaos of the Civil War.We close by revisiting Theodore Roosevelt's sharp warning against hyphenated Americanism. Allegiance, not ancestry, makes a people. That insight feels urgent today, as identity labels multiply and loyalties splinter. The invitation is simple: recover a shared American identity tied to the founding principles of justice, service, and Christ-centered virtue. If we want a nation worthy of our children, we need homes shaped by grace, leaders bounded by humility, and citizens committed to the common good.If this conversation moves you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your voice helps keep these ideas in the public square and this community growing.#Iran #TeddyRoosevelt #DailyScriptureSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe Countryside Book Series https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2

Faithful Allegiance | Justin Cheely | 1-27-26 by Pastor Ernie Jaurique

Who Then Can be Saved?, part 4: Salvation by Faith (and Allegiance) Alone

We live more connected than ever, yet many of us feel unseen, unknown, and alone. In this opening talk of our Shared Life series, we explore why loneliness has become so normal — and how the gospel offers something deeper than thin connection. Drawing from Paul's letter to the Philippians, this sermon invites us to rediscover koinōnia: a shared life that starts with a shared allegiance to Jesus, because the Gospel is a message about belonging already given.

1 Peter 4:12-19 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the culture wars and our approach to them. God will win. Our job is to conduct ourselves honorably and trust God to bring justice.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24184The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

How did one man remain uncorrupted by a pagan empire for seventy years? Discover the three spiritual anchors that sustained Daniel's resolve and why your circle of friends might be the single biggest threat to your own allegiance today.This devotional was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

A captive teenager faced a deadly choice between royal luxury and spiritual purity. When modern life demands compromise for success or security, do you cave or stand firm? Discover the power of a resolved heart today.This devotional was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

If you've ever watched your child's mood shift the moment they step into a handoff…Or felt the sting of being kept at arm's length for reasons you can't explain… You're not imagining it. In blended families, kids often carry emotional burdens they were never meant to hold.In this episode, we name two of the most common “under-the-surface” struggles: loyalty binds (when a child feels torn between a bio parent and a stepparent) and parental allegiance (when a child feels pressure to align with one parent over the other). We share real-life stories, including the quiet pain behind the rejection of a stepparent's sweet gesture, and the way a joyful moment can suddenly collapse into guilt after a call with the other parent.But we don't stop at awareness. We give you a plan. We'll help you slow down, step into your child's shoes, and create emotional safety. We'll help step-parents stay hopeful and keep expectations realistic. And we'll challenge bio parents to protect their kids from adult tension by choosing the neutral zone (where curiosity lowers the temperature and kids are freed to love without feeling responsible for anyone's emotions).The win isn't perfect co-parenting or flawless moments.  It's this: kids get out of the middle, pressure starts to lift, and your home has room for trust, connection, and peace to grow. You'll Discover:The difference between a loyalty bind and parental allegiance, and how each one shows up in real life. How emotion coaching helps your child process hard feelings without forcing apologies or rushing an unrealistic "fix".  What step-parents can do to cope with rejection (and why “crockpot bonding” protects your heart and builds trust over time). The subtle ways parents accidentally tighten the bind and what to say/do instead to keep kids free to love everyone in both homes. How to find and stay in the neutral zone when insecurity, fear, jealousy, or discomfort hits.  Resources from this Episode:Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships by Patricia PapernowEpisode 222.  Step-by-Step Guide:  Facing Painful Pushback Without Making Things Worse (part 1 of 2)Episode 72. The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded RelationshipsEpisode 159. How to Stay Hopeful as a Stepparent When You're Continually Rejected and HurtEpisode 161.  How do Healthy Parent/Child Roles Help Avoid the Pitfalls of Parentification? [with Ron Deal & Lauren Reitsema]  Episode 210.  Is your child pulling away?  Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and LoveEpisode 211.  8 Warning Signs Your Ex Is Manipulating Your Child's Heart and MindReady for some extra support?We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home.  Schedule your free call here:  https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

The Offseason Team Previews from free agency, team need scores, and highlight statistics from the 2025 season. In this episode, the Minnesota Vikings. Get 400+ premium podcasts by signing up at www.UTHDynasty.com as a General Manager PLUS subscriber. Also, get access to exclusive shows and deep data dive content from Chad Parsons (and a VIP Chat with the best dynasty owners on the planet) by signing up as an All-Pro at www.Patreon.com/UTH. Thanks for listening, and keep building those dynasties! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025 Oklahoma Republican Party Platform - Part 2 II. EDUCATION Preamble: We acknowledge our dependence upon Almighty God and ask His blessings upon our students and their parents, teachers, and nation. It is the right and responsibility of parents (hereafter to mean parents and/ or legal guardians) to direct their children's upbringing and education whether public, private, charter, or education by other means without interference, regulation, or penalty from the government. The primary goal of public schools should be to teach proficiency in the basic subjects of phonics-based reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, sciences, history, founding documents, Godly heritage of our nation, critical thinking skills, basic morals, and civics. Locally elected school boards should have the authority to determine and implement all public-school curricula, policies, and procedures for their districts. We demand open accountability from all tax-funded education in Oklahoma. The federal government has no constitutional role in education. A. Philosophy We Believe 1. We believe the traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman, and child(ren) is the foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and the various 7 Boards of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family at all levels of public education. 2. We believe individuals should have the right to choose their own education and career tracks. 3. We believe to comply with the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, we favor elimination and complete defunding of the Federal Department of Education. 4. We believe in and affirm the right of students and school employees to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment, including the right to wear and display religious symbols, voluntary vocal prayer, optional Bible and religious study, religious expression including holidays, and equal access to use of school facilities for these activities. 5. We believe the only flags to be displayed at, or in, any Oklahoma school are the flags of the United States of America and the State of Oklahoma. Students should start the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including "one nation under God", and be taught the history of and respect for our United States flag. 6. We believe the K-12 public-school system is for the benefit of children of legal residents of the United States. 7. We believe the responsibility to teach children the philosophy, values, and theology to live by belongs to a child's parents. We Support 1. We support all parents fulfilling their God-given responsibility to educate and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, free from government control. 2. We support parental access to examine and evaluate all educational and assessment, records pertaining to their children. 3. We support notification to parents that should be clear, simple, and descriptive when any alternative school programs are offered. Active parental consent to opt in must be obtained without repercussion. 4. We support The Ten Commandments being displayed in public schools as a means of moral guidance along with our national motto "In God We Trust" and the Bill of Rights. Public schools shall not prohibit the teaching of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. 5. We support the recognition of, instruction in, and honor given to men motivated by Judeo-Christian ethics who made great contributions to the development of traditional Western Civilization. 8 6. We support proficiency in math, reading, writing, and other basic skills before computer technology and calculators are used. 7. We support notification of parents of medical treatment sought by students including dispensing of any pharmaceuticals. We oppose mandatory healthcare in public schools, vaccinations for students, and any forced mental health evaluations or prescriptions. We Oppose 1. We oppose the imposition of national curricula, testing, data collection and teacher certification, Common Core State Standards and associated assessments, and federally mandated programs such as "No Child Left Behind", "Race to the Top," Early Learning Guidelines and Core Competencies. 2. We oppose any government required community service condition for graduation. 3. We oppose overt racism by schools in the name of thinly disguised faux efforts to "eliminate racism" which seek to achieve atheist, Marxist, or Socialist political outcomes. 4. We oppose government expansion and control by the use of public tax dollars to fund and interfere with private forms of education. 5. We oppose the teaching of humanist character education programs, such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL). B. Curriculum We Believe 1. We believe that curricula should include the basics: phonics-based reading, grammar, composition, mathematics, government, history, science, spelling, penmanship, geography, and economics. We encourage the teaching of art, music, foreign languages, and sports/physical fitness. 2. We believe parents must maintain their right and responsibility to educate their children regarding sexuality and sexual conduct. We believe sexual abstinence is the only safe way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. 3. We believe local school boards should exercise their right to choose curriculum and textbooks, including the Bible as a literature or history text, without state limitations. 4. We believe Biblical creation and intelligent design must be taught and must receive equal funding, class time, and materials as other theories such as evolution. 5. We believe the heritage of the United States of America should be taught in public schools and include representative limited government, the lives and beliefs of the Founders, influence of the Bible and religion on our laws and principles, and the concept of free enterprise. We believe students should study directly from the primary founding documents, which teach that the distribution of power is among three branches of federal government and the difference between federal and state government teaching that our nation is a constitutional republic. 6. We believe English, the dominant language of our nation, should be the primary language taught in 9 public schools with other languages only offered as electives. We Support 1. We support curricula that promotes the U.S. national sovereignty and the singing of traditional songs and teaching of patriotic literature in all grades. We respect different cultures, but support prioritizing our commonalities as U.S. Citizens. 2. We support the right of parents to personally observe all classroom instruction, activities, and curriculum choices. 3. We strongly support the teaching of the scientific biologically verifiable X and Y chromosomal definition of male and female at birth. 4. We support teaching the basic rules of finance, such as economics, saving, investing, borrowing, balancing a checkbook, and living within a budget. We Oppose 1. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual, promiscuous, or fornication behaviors in a positive light in public schools. 2. We oppose the teaching of non-chromosomal gender and LGBTQ+ lifestyle, history, and demonstration. 3. We oppose one-world government and global citizenship. 4. We oppose teaching multiculturalism that promotes cultural segregation. We are created in God's image. There is one race: the human race. 5. We oppose the implementation of all revisionist U.S. history in education. 6. We oppose the teaching of the theory of anthropogenic global warming without providing equal time for instruction in the complex systems of geo-physics that cause observable climate change, such as solar variations, plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions. C. Administration and Management We Believe 1. We believe that all education and management decisions should be returned to the control of parents, elected school boards, teachers, and administration at the local level. 2. We believe schools should protect the privacy of any personal information or data collected on a student or their family. 3. School elections should be on the same date as general elections. 4. We believe security options should be pursued, including but not limited to officers and school 10 employees who are qualified to be armed. 5. We believe teachers, school administrators, and the local school board should work together to set and implement policies that give teachers the freedom and authority to lawfully maintain order, discipline, and safety. 6. We believe teachers should not be coerced to adjust standards for any failing students, including athletes. 7. We believe the Teachers Retirement Fund should be actuarially funded with full public disclosure. We Support 1. We support the freedom of local school boards to hire, direct, train, retain, or terminate any teacher who fails to provide the highest quality of instruction based on merit, not years of service. The evaluation criteria should be determined by local school boards for their school districts. 2. We support extensive background checks of prospective school employees, with the right of local school boards to refuse employment to anyone. 3. We support public independent auditing of all public schools and institutions of higher education in Oklahoma. 4. We support the enforcement of Oklahoma statutes that prohibit teachers from strikes, walkouts, or semblance thereof during the school year by penalizing any district that closes its schools with a funding cut equivalent to the daily payroll and expenses of the district. 5. We support professional development for teachers; however, we believe classes should not be canceled in order for public school employees to attend political conventions, electioneering, campaigning, voting, or union meetings. 6. We support right-to-work laws, which provide all public-school administrators, teachers, and staff the choice to refuse to join or financially support any union, political party, or any other organization. All options are to be made available to teachers, staff, and parents. 7. We support requiring public schools to provide parents the platforms of all educational organizations for which a teacher or staff member is eligible to join. 8. We support local school districts placing year-end excess monies into an interest-bearing account to encourage fiscal responsibility, and they should not be penalized by the State Department of Education for doing so. 9. We support the consolidation of the technical, operational, and administrative resources of school districts, but do not support the closing of individual schools. 10. We support local school board appointed textbook committees to select the state/district funded textbooks and the elimination of the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee. 11. We support the right of parents to determine and guide their children's medical needs including vaccination. Schools must disclose all legal exemptions when making requests. 11 12. We support the independent testing of radiation levels in all public schools with full disclosure of the proven hazards and impacts of radio frequency, electromagnetic, and microwave radiation upon children and youth (e.g.: mitochondrial and DNA damage and destruction). We Oppose 1. We oppose Public School Districts receiving any state funding to pay or collect any employee's organizational and/or union dues by using the payroll deduction system or any other accounting/collection system of the school district to provide centralized dues collection. 2. We oppose the collection by the government of personal information or data on students or their families, aka: data mining. 3. We oppose the designation of public schools as "gun free zones". 4. We oppose the issuance of bonds by school districts to fund operational expenses. 5. We oppose any non-chromosomal sex/gender use of locker rooms, sports team qualifications, or public restrooms. While we support a positive, competitive spirit in all activities, we oppose student athletes competing as anything other than their genetically determined sex/gender. 6. We oppose automatic teacher tenure. 7. We oppose schools requiring access to medical documents, including vaccination/immunization records, for enrollment. All medical determinations should be decided by the parents. 8. We oppose mandatory year-round schooling. 9. We oppose mandatory expansion of public school from birth on; aka: universal childcare 10. We oppose the teaching or presence of any inappropriate, harmful, or perverse content such as sexualized information, pornography, illustrations, or books with this material. 11. We oppose any increased state funding for the government schools. D. Higher Education We Believe 1. We believe higher education is a privilege, not a right. There are many options for education to be explored and determined by each individual. 2. We believe the Constitutional rights of college/university students, including their right to due process, must be protected. 3. We believe the Constitutional right to carry shall not be infringed upon at any college/university in Oklahoma. 4. We believe all publicly funded institutions of higher education should offer curriculum designed to train a student for a viable career path upon graduation. Responsibility for the market need for a specific degree should rest with the institution. 12 5. We believe there should be a required course in phonics for elementary teacher certification, as well as for certification at all levels of reading and language arts. We Support 1. We support the freedom of each individual college/university to hire, direct, train, retain, or terminate any teacher who fails to provide the highest quality of instruction based on merit, not years of service. 2. We support the freedom of each individual college/university to develop its own standards, course curriculum, scholarships, tuition, and fees. 3. We support budgeting tied to comprehensive planning processes with increases in funding directly related to specific goals and objectives listing expected improvements. 4. We support any student being able to use all scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to obtain a degree in the field of their choice, including religious studies. 5. We support strict adherence to the law that requires the majority of the nine-member Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College ("OSU") to be actively engaged in farming or ranching. We Oppose 1. We oppose all Marxist ideology such as Critical Race Theory (CRT), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and all other critical theories. 2. We oppose the enactment of any compelled speech policies forcing students, staff, or faculty at public colleges/universities to use other people's preferred or gender-neutral pronouns. 3. We oppose public higher education funding of one-sided studies intended to prove anthropogenic global warming for the purpose of justifying wealth redistribution 4. We oppose higher education funding and teaching of all aspects of gender reassignment: research, surgery, mental health, and "affirming care". 5. We oppose non-U.S. citizens being able to take advantage of taxpayer-funded scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to obtain a degree. 6. We oppose the requirement of completing and submitting a FAFSA form for enrollment in Oklahoma colleges and universities. III. Government Preamble: The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and should be interpreted according to the original intent of the founding fathers as explained in the federalist papers. We call for reaffirmation of our God-given rights enumerated in the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Ordinance of 1787: The Northwest Territorial Government, and the Constitution of the United States together establish the exclusive basis 13 of the rule of law for our nation. These Organic Documents supersede all subsequent legislation, judicial decisions, and declared emergencies. Our founding fathers based these first laws on traditional Judeo- Christian ethics and values. We believe these documents are the basis for law, order, and behavior, allowing individuals, including government officials, the freedom to involve God in all activities according to their consciences. We believe all persons are responsible and should be held accountable for their actions. We believe in transparent and honest government with minimal intrusion, providing protection for all its citizens with fair and equitable treatment, enforcement, and justice. We realize without economic freedom there is no political freedom. We believe the greatest incentive for the creation of wealth lies in the respect for private property rights and the free enterprise system as the best and most efficient distribution of resources. A. Financial & Tax Issues i. Budget We Believe 1. We believe all governmental budgets should be balanced by decreasing spending, eliminating fraud, and eliminating duplication of services. 2. We support transparency and audits in government spending. 3. We believe the US Congress should ban earmarks. 4. We believe individuals, families, churches, and private organizations should take responsibility in meeting the needs of the citizens of the community. 5. We believe in a welfare policy that promotes the traditional American family unity, a strong work ethic, and individual responsibility. Those who repeatedly misuse the system, or fraudulently represent themselves shall forfeit further assistance. 6. We believe all able-bodied recipients of welfare and other federal entitlements should be required to work. 7. We believe in the implementation of "sunset laws," "zero-based budgeting," and performance audits to require justification for government programs. 8. We believe designated funds should be spent only for the stated purpose and not placed in the general fund. We Support 1. We support a full and complete public audit of the Federal Reserve System. 2. We support the elimination of barriers to purchase insurance across state lines. 3. We support total state control of Medicaid programs. 4. We support requiring a balanced federal budget, except in times of congressionally declared war. 14 5. We support the repeal or consolidation of federal, state, and local programs found to be non- performing, duplicative, or not authorized by the constitution. 6. We support the elimination of government funding for the Public Broadcasting System, the National Endowment for the Arts and National Public Radio. 7. We support making the Congressional Pension and health care benefits the same as the benefits the citizens use such as private savings, Social Security, and Medicare. 8. We support a requirement that all bills presented in Congress identify the specific Constitutional authorization (Article I, Section 8). 9. We support lowering the national debt by cutting non-defense spending. 10. We support abolishment of the federal minimum wage. 11. We support repeal of federal legislation that requires paying prevailing union wages on government contracts. 12. We support the elimination of funding for Planned Parenthood and other programs promoting or providing preborn baby murder. 13. We support a free market-based public transportation system as opposed to government funding. 14. We support abolishing the Federal Reserve. We Oppose 1. We oppose raising the debt limit. 2. We oppose the use of continuing resolutions to fund the federal government in lieu of passing an annual federal budget. 3. We oppose paying congressional members during any government shutdown. 4. We oppose simply 'printing money' to allow increased spending. 5. We oppose the nationalization of private businesses and enterprises, and efforts to support or subsidize in return for partial or complete control of private enterprises. 6. We oppose federal programs that enlarge the number of US citizens dependent upon government for their basic subsistence. 7. We oppose all congressional pay increases until the federal budget is balanced. 8. We oppose socialized medicine, the Affordable Care Act, or any other nationalized health care system. 15 ii. Taxation We Support 1. We support the repeal of the 16th Amendment, the elimination of the Internal Revenue Service, and replacement of the current tax system based on income with a simple system such as the Fair Tax. 2. We support eliminating taxation on income and property. 3. We support that any tax or fee set up for a particular purpose should be used solely for that purpose or should be repealed. 4. We support lowering or removing the state sales tax on groceries. 5. We support legislation requiring that state lottery funds be applied in addition to, not as a replacement for, state funding of schools. 6. We support requiring all initiative petitions to define the funding mechanisms. 7. We support tax policies that promote personal savings and capital formation. 8. We support the elimination of the marriage penalty, capital gains taxes, the earned income tax credit, the alternative minimum tax, double taxation of dividends, and inheritance tax. 9. We support requiring a two-thirds majority vote by Congress to increase taxes. 10. We support legislation requiring that all state fuel and vehicle taxes and tag fees go to state, county, and local transportation infrastructure. 11. We support reducing fuel taxes, both federal and state for agricultural use. 12. We support abolishing the income tax entirely. We Oppose 1. We oppose the creation of a tax on services as this will negatively impact working families and individuals. 2. We oppose the use of sales tax and use tax revenue bonds for advance local capital improvements. City and county improvements should be authorized only on a pay-as-you-go basis, and should not incur new taxes or bonds. 3. We oppose taxes or other incentives for businesses that encourage the exportation of jobs from the United States to foreign nations. 4. We oppose the use of restrictive fuel taxes for regulation of carbon or particulate matter emissions. 16 iii. Economic Development We Believe 1. We believe in free, open, and fair markets. 2. We believe that Oklahoma's efforts to attract industry should be grounded upon the establishment of a favorable and friendly "economic climate" rather than upon tax and other governmental subsidies to individual businesses. We Support 1. We support the revision of corporate laws and regulations to encourage business and economic development while reflecting free market principles. We Oppose 1. We oppose and discourage government competition with the private sector. 2. We oppose market interference by the government in setting insurance premiums. 3. We oppose public-private partnerships and the use of eminent domain. 4. We oppose governmental efforts to stimulate the economy or bail out troubled entities through massive increases in governmental spending, crushing debt, or massive tax increases. 5. We oppose a temporary assistance package for lenders or borrowers in mortgage foreclosures. The free market should be allowed to work. 6. We oppose the existence of a minimum wage. iv. Social Security We Believe 1. We believe Social Security is a contract with the United States workers and not an entitlement. Taxpayers should have the option of ownership and control over individual Social Security funds, including allowing a percentage of their Social Security tax to be placed in private investments of their choosing. We Support 1. We support repealing the 1993 Clinton tax on Social Security benefits.

On stage at the school assembly, second-grade Mike got stuck for 30 seconds saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Every eye on him. Then: a rush. Not relief—an actual high. "I got through it. I did it." Today Mike Liben is CEO of Chai Travel, leading meetings, closing deals, and proving substance beats style every time. When the Brooklyn DA suggested Mike avoid the courtroom, Mike was resolute: "I'll say what I need to say. And they'll listen." He took the harder path—and it made him stronger. Judges started requesting him. Not despite his stutter. Because of what he brought. Every leader can learn from Mike: The best communicators aren't the smoothest talkers. They're the most prepared. Whether you stutter or not, this proves speaking with confidence comes from knowing what you have to say matters more than how you say it. IN THIS EPISODE: Why preparation and substance beat smooth delivery every time (courtroom lessons for every leader) The "rush" after doing hard things - and what it teaches about building confidence How to navigate difficult conversations when the stakes are high Barry Liben's intensity - how the same force that was sometimes tough for young Mike also became his model for resilience Why judges preferred Mike in court (hint: it wasn't his fluency!) What Mike learned about leadership from watching his father refuse to let physical limitations win How stuttering built the empathy that makes Mike a better CEO The business principles behind Chai Travel's success What every professional can learn about speaking with confidence in meetings, presentations, and executive conversations   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Mike Liben is CEO of Chai Travel, a family-founded travel agency built on the legacy of his father, Barry Liben. Before entering the travel industry, Mike spent 11 years as a prosecuting attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, specializing in domestic violence cases. Despite stuttering since childhood, Mike chose the courtroom over desk work - and became the prosecutor judges requested. Mike lives with his wife and children, carrying forward his father's philosophy of treating everyone like family.   TIMESTAMPS  0:00 Mike's obsession with substance over style 1:21 Welcome to TranscendingX 2:06 What doesn't show up on Mike's resume 5:26 On stage at the school assembly: The Pledge of Allegiance moment 8:02 The "rush" after hard moments—building confidence through action 9:42 Doing hard things builds the capacity for leadership 10:01 The worst advice: "Stomp your foot while stuttering" 10:49 "Did you forget your name?"—what people still get wrong 13:15 The complicated father-son dynamic 16:25 Barry's frustration: "I want my money back" 17:14 What changed: Seeing the stuttering community 19:39 Barry's mobility challenges: Modeling relentless determination 22:41 Bar mitzvah speech: When fluency went "off the rails" 27:03 "I think I'm done with therapy"—choosing his own path 31:50 Growing up in Barry Liben's shadow 32:02 Why Mike chose to become an attorney despite stuttering 33:48 Courtroom lesson: The best attorneys are the most prepared 35:23 The DA's suggestion: "Maybe avoid the courtroom" 36:13 Mike's resolute response: "I'll say what I need to say. And they'll listen." 38:47 First court appearances: The harder path made him stronger 39:31 Judges started requesting Mike—substance won over style 39:50 Transitioning from prosecutor to entrepreneur 40:21 Barry Liben: Self-made travel industry force 42:06 Starting Chai Travel: Following Barry's example 42:48 Barry's credo: Treat everyone like family (top to bottom) 45:06 The turbulence analogy: When to push through vs. when to reroute 46:51 Leading as CEO: How communication challenges show up (and don't) 49:35 Empathy from experience: Why understanding challenges makes you a better leader 57:00 The myth: Communication challenges don't have to disqualify you from leadership 57:57 Let substance guide your decisions, not style 58:42 Mike's billboard: "Substance is what matters" ABOUT THE HOST Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending X; and former faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. SEE ALL SHOW NOTES http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast LEARN MORE at http://www.transcendingx.com and http://www.schneiderspeech.com  

Sermon Summary: Joshua – Session 12 (Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve)   1. God Keeps Every Promise As Joshua concludes his leadership, the sermon emphasizes that not one word God spoke failed. Israel possessed the land exactly as God promised. Victory, rest, and provision came not through Israel's strength, but because the Lord fought for them. 2. Yielding Determines What We Experience God's promises were available to all, but only fully realized by those who yielded in faith and obedience. Refusing to yield does not cancel God's promises, but it causes people to miss out on what God intends for them. 3. Brotherhood and Unity Matter The distribution of land to the Levites and the resolution of the altar conflict show the importance of loving God first and loving one another. Misunderstandings were handled through communication, humility, and unity rather than division, modeling how God's people should relate to one another. 4. God Alone Is the Source of Victory Joshua reminds Israel repeatedly that they did not win battles on their own. God gave them land they did not labor for, cities they did not build, and vineyards they did not plant. Pride leads to downfall, but humility keeps God's favor. 5. Compromise Leads to Spiritual Traps Joshua warns that clinging to the nations around them—or their gods—would lead to bondage. Friendship with the world results in snare, sorrow, and spiritual loss. God does not remove worldly “friends”—only enemies—so believers must choose separation wisely. 6. A Clear Call to Commitment Joshua issues a decisive challenge: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Everyone serves something. If not the Lord, it will be idols—self, possessions, power, or culture. True faith requires a deliberate choice to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. 7. Serving God Is Not Casual Joshua explains that God is holy and jealous, not tolerant of divided loyalty. Forgiveness is found only in Him; there is no salvation or restoration apart from God. Allegiance cannot be transferred without consequence. 8. The Word of God Endures Forever The sermon reinforces that everything else fades—nations, wealth, achievements—but God's Word stands forever. Building life on anything else leads to loss, while obedience to God brings lasting fruit. 9. Final Charge Joshua's life ends with a testimony of faithfulness, and the people renew their covenant with God. The message closes by calling believers to: Put away competing idols Yield fully to God Walk in obedience and sincerity Serve the Lord with all their heart The sermon concludes with this central truth: God will always be faithful—our responsibility is to choose Him and remain yielded to His will.

Big Idea: Allegiance to Christ brings heaven down. Problem: We chase the delights of the true kingdom without the true King. Solution: Renounce all rival kings, and plead allegiance to no king but Christ. Vision: A church so loyal to the ascended King that heaven quietly invades the world through ordinary lives. Steps To Change: 1. Dethrone All False Kings 2. Crown Christ 3. Join The Cause Links: Website: https://thegrovechurch.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegrovechurchofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/thegrovechurchofficial Sermon Audio: https://soundcloud.com/thegrovechurchofficial Podcast: https://tr.ee/c0BcdkUV3C Support Our Ministry: https://grovechurch.churchcenter.com/giving If this video was helpful to you, please like, comment, and subscribe — and share it with someone who needs hope today.

Neal McCoy, a two-time Country music Entertainer of the Year winner, and American patriot who has traveled in numerous USO Tours and will be celebrating his 10th anniversary of reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” on January 7th.  Neal's love for patriotism and America is witnessed with the rolling flag painted along the side of his tour bus!   Neal has sold over 10 million albums, had 10 Top 10 singles, including #1 hits, he's a Grammy nominee, ACM Award winner, 2x Entertainer of the Year. Neal has partnered with Allied Flag, America's premium manufacturer of 100% American-made flags as part of the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of his live daily saying of the “Pledge of Allegiance” on Facebook/Meta. #america #countrymusic #pledgeofallegiance #american #patriotism #patriot #countrymusicradio #military #veterans 

Neal McCoy, a two-time Country music Entertainer of the Year winner, and American patriot who has traveled in numerous USO Tours and will be celebrating his 10th anniversary of reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” on January 7th.  Neal's love for patriotism and America is witnessed with the rolling flag painted along the side of his tour bus!   Neal has sold over 10 million albums, had 10 Top 10 singles, including #1 hits, he's a Grammy nominee, ACM Award winner, 2x Entertainer of the Year. Neal has partnered with Allied Flag, America's premium manufacturer of 100% American-made flags as part of the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of his live daily saying of the “Pledge of Allegiance” on Facebook/Meta. #america #countrymusic #pledgeofallegiance #american #patriotism #patriot #countrymusicradio #military #veterans 

We wanna hear from you! Send us a message here :) Country music icon Neal McCoy joins the podcast for a powerful and heartfelt conversation centered around one simple but meaningful daily tradition. For the past ten years, Neal has recited the Pledge of Allegiance every single morning on his Facebook page, never missing a day — a commitment that has inspired millions and become a symbol of consistency, gratitude, and love of country.In this episode, Neal opens up about how the pledge became part of his daily life, what motivated him to start, and why staying faithful to it for a full decade matters so deeply to him. He reflects on the responsibility he feels to honor those who serve, the reaction from fans across generations, and how a few spoken words each morning can bring people together in a divided world.We also talk about the impact this tradition has had on Neal personally, the messages he receives from veterans and families, and how patriotism, respect, and gratitude continue to guide his life on and off the stage. This is more than a conversation about a pledge — it's about discipline, purpose, and standing for something every single day.Support the show

As ALLEGIANCE Season 3 arrives on CBC, star Supinder Wraich joins us to discuss what sets the series apart from other crime dramas. In this in-depth interview, Wraich reflects on Sabrina Sohal's evolution, the risks of trust on the beat, and the emotional toll of policing. We explore the show's grounded storytelling, its connection to real-world cases, and the tension between justice and grace for perpetrators. A thoughtful conversation about character, accountability, and the human cost behind the badge.Season 3 of ALLEGIANCE begins airing on CBC and CBC Gem on January 7th, 2026.

“A Costly Allegiance” Matthew 10:34-42              January 4, 2026 Pastor Tony Felich  Sermon Application [file]   ----more---- Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. [37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [40] “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. [41] The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. [42] And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”   Jesus calls us to ultimate allegiance to Him—even when it comes at the cost of human relationships—while assuring us that God sees and rewards every act of faithful loyalty.        I. Expect the gospel to create tension, not comfort (vv. 34–36)        II. Examine competing loyalties in your heart (vv. 37–39)     III. Trust that God notices costly faithfulness (vv. 40–42)

How do we love well?  Our country?  Those sitting next to us at church who are hurting?  In this best-of show, Cultural analyst Daniel Darling, author of "In Defense of Christian Patriotism," offers a balance to what it means to be a faithful member of God's Kingdom while also loving the country God has placed you well.  Shaunti Feldhahn, author of "When Hurting People Come to Church," talks about how pastors and, yes, you can be a loving, faithful, healing presence in their lives.  Further help can be found at The Church Cares.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

As we wrap up 2025, professor Nelson Kraybill joins Daniel for a conversation about all things apocalyptic. Kraybill , a scholar of the book of Revelation, discusses the End Times, the Rapture, and the various confusing terms and images found in Revelation.J. Nelson Kraybill is a retired pastor in Elkhart, Indiana and president of Mennonite World Conference. He was director of the London Mennonite Centre in England (1991-1996) and president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (1997-2009) in Indiana.  With a doctorate in New Testament from Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Virginia, he is author of several books, including Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation.Apocalypse and Allegiance on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Allegiance-Politics-Devotion-Revelation-ebook/dp/B008DWUXPE?ref_=ast_author_mpbBecome a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.#israel #palestine #christianity #bible #revelation #endtimes #rapture

In this episode of Dear Church, Chris McCurley is joined by theologian and author Matthew Bates to discuss the gospel, faith, and allegiance to Jesus as King. Drawing from his book Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Bates challenges common assumptions about "faith alone" and invites Christians to rethink what Scripture teaches about salvation.     Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearchurch_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564673680147 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DearChurch   Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.   #DearChurchPodcast #MatthewBates #Allegiance #Gospel #ChristianTheology #Salvation #FaithAndObedience #KingdomOfGod #JesusIsKing #BiblicalTheology #ChristianFaith #ChurchTeaching #FaithInPractice #Discipleship #ChristianLiving  

Join Mike and Tim as they dive into a lively discussion about the essence of family, identity, and faith. In this episode, they explore the concept of "adoption to sonship" and how it redefines our understanding of belonging and community. With humor and depth, they challenge traditional views and invite listeners to consider a broader perspective on what it means to be part of a spiritual family. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends theology with everyday life, all wrapped in the warmth of the holiday spirit. In this conversation, the hosts explore the themes of faith, family, and community within Christianity, emphasizing the importance of understanding God as a father and the implications of adoption and sonship. They discuss the cultural context of Jesus' teachings, the role of individualism versus community, and the concept of loyalty to God's family. The conversation also touches on the distinction between bounded and centered sets in faith, ultimately inviting listeners to engage in a communal journey of faith. Takeaways: Christian nationalism is alive and well. Father is a status word, not a gender word. To be a part of Jesus is to be a part of his people. Jesus is not your personal savior. We're playing soccer, not rugby. The early Christians did not sharply distinguish between commitment to God and commitment to God's family. Salvation is a social reunification. You cannot be a part of two groups. Loyalty to God is loyalty to God's people. We are playing soccer, not rugby. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Christmas Spirit 03:06 Exploring the Concept of Fatherhood 06:01 Adoption and Sonship in Christian Theology 09:01 The Role of Family in Identity 12:00 Cultural Perspectives on Individualism vs. Community 15:03 The Significance of Group Dynamics in the Ancient World 17:50 Jesus' Redefinition of Family Relationships 29:47 Redefining Family and Kinship 32:21 The New Family of God 35:05 The Cost of Discipleship 37:28 Understanding Jesus' Hard Teachings 40:32 The Nature of God's Will 43:31 Loyalty and Allegiance in the Kingdom 46:22 Social Reality of Salvation 49:13 Choosing Between Two Families 51:02 Bounded vs. Centered Sets in Faith 58:01 Redefining Loyalties: From Ethnic Identity to Jesus 01:00:59 The Early Church: Community Over Individualism 01:03:55 The Role of Gifts: Individuality for the Collective 01:06:59 Loyalty and Discipleship: The Cost of Following Jesus 01:09:57 Invitation to Play: The Soccer Game of Faith 01:13:00 Boundaries and Inclusion: Redefining Church Membership As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Matthew 2 shows us two kings, two kingdoms, and a choice we still face today. Where fear, power, and control collide with humility and trust, the question is simple: which king will you hope in?

Bill Roggio analyzes the ISIS allegiance of Australian shooters, distinguishing ISIS's immediate caliphate goals from Al-Qaeda's patient state-building. He warns that while Al-Qaeda focuses on consolidating control in places like Somalia(Al-Shabaab), they remain a potent global threat capable of launching external attacks when strategically advantageous. 1842 Afghanistan

James I as Ecumenicist Amid Confessional Complexity: Colleague Claire Jackson portrays James I as an ecumenicist seeking accommodation, provided Catholics recognized his temporal authority via an Oath of Allegiance, noting he faced a "confessional complexity" ruling Protestant Scotland and England alongside Catholic Ireland, aiming to isolate radical Jesuits from the loyal majority. 1897

SHOW 12-9-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1916 MONTENEGRO THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE HUBBLE CONSTANT. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Baltic Defenses and NATO's Uncertain Resolve: Colleague Blaine Holt discusses the Baltics preparing defensive "Mino lines" and bunkers fearing a potential Russian attack, noting Baltic citizens feel trapped between NATO bureaucracy and Russian hybrid warfare while doubting NATO's resolve to intervene, arguing diplomatic solutions are necessary as Europe lacks resources for a cohesive defense. 915-930 NATO's Viability and Europe's Demographic Shifts: Colleague Blaine Holt questions NATO's viability through 2050, citing rising US sentiment to withdraw and Europe's demographic shifts due to mass migration, warning that diverging values and economic instability could lead to civil unrest or new geopolitical alignments between Russia, China, and the US. 930-945 European Leaders Meet Zelenskyy Amid Strategic Dilemmas: Colleague Judy Dempsey discusses the "Big Three" European leaders meeting Zelenskyy, questioning their ability to resolve the war without wider coalitions, noting the EU is bypassing unanimity rules to seize Russian assets but struggles with the dilemma of offering Ukraine EU membership while demanding territorial concessions. 945-1000 Europe's Lack of Self-Confidence Facing Global Challenges: Colleague Judy Dempsey criticizes Europe's lack of self-confidence and ambition when facing Trump's transactional administration and Chinese aggression, arguing European leaders complain about US criticism rather than leveraging their own economic power, noting they are "sleepwalking" regarding the auto industry and dependencies on China. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The National Security Strategy and the First Island Chain: Colleague Steve Yates analyzes the National Security Strategy's focus on the "first island chain" and deterrence against China's bullying of Japan and the Philippines, noting the CCP's obsession with WWII-era Japan for propaganda fails to resonate regionally as neighbors face modern Chinese aggression and grey zone tactics. 1015-1030 Nvidia Chip Sales to China Raise National Security Concerns: Colleague Brandon Weichert reports on the Trump administration approving Nvidia H200 chip sales to China while taking a 25% cut, warning this transactional approach compromises national security by aiding China's military AI, signaling a shift from hawkish policies to favoring business interests like soybeans. 1030-1045 SpaceX Dominance and the Golden Dome Defense Project: Colleague Bob Zimmerman highlights SpaceX's dominance with record-breaking booster reuse and launch frequency compared to rivals, discussing the secretive "Golden Dome" defense project, defects on the Orion capsule's hatch threatening the Artemis mission, and Airbus surprisingly choosing a Chinese satellite constellation for in-flight internet. 1045-1100 Cosmological Crises and Mars Rover Progress: Colleague Bob Zimmerman details cosmological crises including the "Hubble tension" where expansion rates conflict and a baffling 7-hour gamma-ray burst, reporting on Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS images confirming it is a comet rather than a spacecraft, and the Perseverance rover moving toward promising mining terrain on Mars.           THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The 1605 Gunpowder Plot and Catholic Desperation: Colleague Claire Jackson explains the 1605 Gunpowder Plot as a desperate attempt by Catholics, frustrated by James I's retention of penal laws and peace with Spain, to destroy the Protestant establishment, with the plotters aiming to kill the king and install a puppet Catholic monarch amidst the ensuing chaos. 1115-1130 The Mirror of Great Britain and James I's Violent Childhood: Colleague Claire Jackson explains the "Mirror of Great Britain" jewel symbolizing James I's union plans, though it was destroyed during the Civil Wars, detailing his violent childhood in Scotland, his father Darnley's murder, and his separation from his mother Mary Queen of Scots, which shaped his intellectual upbringing. 1130-1145 The Hampton Court Conference and the King James Bible: Colleague Claire Jackson describes how James I convened the Hampton Court Conference to resolve religious differences, resulting in the King James Bible, highlighting his unique role as an author of works like Basilikon Doron, using print to converse with subjects and establish the divine right of kings. 1145-1200 James I as Ecumenicist Amid Confessional Complexity: Colleague Claire Jackson portrays James I as an ecumenicist seeking accommodation, provided Catholics recognized his temporal authority via an Oath of Allegiance, noting he faced a "confessional complexity" ruling Protestant Scotland and England alongside Catholic Ireland, aiming to isolate radical Jesuits from the loyal majority. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Commodities Update from France: Colleague Simon Constable reports from France on unseasonably warm weather and rising copper prices driven by tech demand, noting cocoa prices dropped while coffee remains expensive, discussing farmers' effective non-violent protests in Europe and contrasting European energy shortages with the electricity needs of AI development. 1215-1230 UK Labour's Struggles and the Workers' Rights Bill: Colleague Simon Constable analyzes the UK Labour Party's struggles despite a large majority, citing Keir Starmer's low approval, warning that the return of "Red Rayner" and a new workers' rights bill preventing easy firing could stifle economic growth and deter foreign investment, worsening Britain's debt. 1230-1245 The National Security Strategy as Transatlantic "Divorce Papers": Colleague Blaine Holt argues the National Security Strategy resembles "divorce papers" for a perilous transatlantic relationship, contending Europe, having de-industrialized, refuses Trump's diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, fearing the aftermath of a conflict they cannot sustain against a re-industrialized Russia. 1245-100 AM Penang's Boom Contrasts with China's Decline: Colleague Charles Ortel contrasts Penang's economic boom and diverse hardworking culture with China's decline, discussing China's suppressed financial data and property crisis with Gordon Chang, arguing Western elites were "bought off" by Beijing while investors should demand transparency regarding assets trapped in ChiNA.

President Trump is reshaping everything, and it's causing the Left to lose its collective mind. Glenn lays out what he believes President Trump is up to as he continues to launch attacks on vessels in the Caribbean. Who is buying up all the gold? Glenn explains his perspective on the current state of gold prices and its implications for America's crippling debt. While high-risk, Glenn believes this could be the "reset" that would put this country back into a place where America's sovereignty remains secure. Glenn goes through the Pledge of Allegiance line by line to express why the pledge is essential. The College of William & Mary adjunct lecturer Peter Atwater, who coined the term "K-shaped recovery," joins to discuss the current AI investment boom. Is this boom a bubble that could pop like the 2008 mortgage crisis? Has your life been altered in any way since the government shut down? Glenn and Stu discuss Trump's upcoming White House ballroom, and Glenn shares his conversation with the president about the controversial construction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices